2 Thomas Thomsen. 



under the figures is thus in certain cases incorrect". Now as a matter 

 of fact, the expression "certain cases" here means one hundred and 

 fiftyone cases at least ; or two-fifths of the items shown under Holm's 

 name, (cf. p. 447, where the author gives a detailed definition of what 

 is to be understood by "Holm Collection"). He endeavours then, to 

 reduce the scientific importance of these errors, and further attempts 

 — very awkwardly — to disparage the revision of the exhibits as 

 made by the Museum. He is perfectly correct in stating (p. 480) that 

 I was not present while the work of photographing was being carried 

 out ; fortunately, however, his illustrations are, with very few ex- 

 ceptions, distinct enough to permit of the items being identified without 

 any doubt, and I can challenge him to prove where I am at fault. 

 In cases where I was not absolutely certain, I refrained from making 

 any attempt, which might have left the issue doubtful after all; my 

 caution here, however, in our author's view, "would seem to suggest a 

 certain disorder somewhere in that Department" (p. 479). Finally, he 

 gives his readers the impression that the erroneous notes to the figures 

 formed the main point in my criticism of his work. This, however, 

 as will be seen from my paper, is not the case. And I can draw upon 

 Hr. Thalbitzer's defence itself for further examples of other features 

 in his method of work. 



On p. 389 — 90 I pointed out that Hr. Thalbitzer had recorded 

 the landing of a Dutch captain in 1656 at 64°10', whereas the original 

 authority states 72°. With regard to this, he now writes (p. 453) : "My 

 critic will not be able to weaken this fact. The figure may be seen 

 in De Poincy, and appeared to me to be more essential than the 

 subsequent 72°, since there might from the first be some doubt as to 

 the accuracy of these localities, which were not obtained directly from 

 the Dutch captain, but have only been handed down to us through 

 the medium of the author of a work on the West Indies. Less doubt, 

 however, would naturally attach to the figure giving the more detailed 

 indication, the more so when this corresponds to a spot far easier of 

 access by sea than the more northerly one which Hr. Thomsen prefers. 

 "64°10"' would correspond exactly to the position of Godthaab, the 

 principal landing place in South Greenland, whereas "72°" would be 

 Upernawik, the farthest Danish colony to the North, where only 

 comparatively few ships touch. It may be uncertain whether De 

 Poincy's authority did land at 72° N. lat., but there is some reason to 

 believe that he landed from Godthaab Fjord, and saw the objects 

 described with his own eyes". 



Hr. Thalbitzer would thus make it appear that there are two 

 figures to choose between, one being as good as the other, or more 

 correctly, his the better of the two. It will here be well to quote the 

 text from which these conclusions are drawn. Poincy states, that 

 Nicolas Tunes set out from Zeeland towards the close of the spring 



